Kent State Wins MAC Championship With 3-2 Victory Over Miami
11/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Golden Flashes advance to NCAA play for the seventh time in school history
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — The Kent State field hockey team rallied from a 2-1 deficit in the second half to claim a 3-2 win over Miami in the 2010 Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship game. The win gives the Golden Flashes the ninth title in program history and advances the team to the NCAA Play-in game at Patriot League Champion American, on Tuesday, November 9.
"I am really proud the way we stepped up and put together a strong effort with contribution from everyone on the team," said Kent State Head Coach Kathleen (Schanne) Wiler. "From the players on the field to the enthusiasm on the on the bench this would not have been possible without a team effort all the way around."
Junior Debbie Bell (Hamilton, New Zealand / Waikato) recorded her fifth straight multi-goal game scoring twice in the second half including her MAC leading seventh game-winning goal of the year. Bell's first score tied the game the game in the 54th minute while her second came on a rebound in the 68th minute and put Kent State on top to stay.
As expected the match-up of the MAC's regular season co-champions was well played and tightly contested. When the first half came to a close both shots taken (5-5) and penalty corners (3-3) were dead even. Following a first half full of defensive stands at the CMU Field Hockey Complex, the second was all fireworks.
"This was a true championship game," said Wiler. "Both teams were playing hard and leaving it all out there."
The RedHawks struck first when they broke the scoreless tie in the 45th minute on a Kylie Landeros goal from right in front of the cage out of a penalty corner opportunity. Once the lid was off the score board continued to light up. Following the goal by Miami, MAC Player of the Year Rachel Miller (Bathurst, Australia/MacKillop College) answered five minutes later for the Golden Flashes when she posted her 11th goal of the year.
The score would not stayed tied for long as Emily Gruesser put the Red Hawks back on top 2-1 at the 53:13 mark. Kent State would trail for only 30 seconds as Bell quickly responded off an assist from MAC Freshman of the Year Rebecca Lee (Bathurst, Australia/The Scots School).
"When Debbie (Bell) scored it was definitely a momentum boast. We knew it was going to be a back and forth battle so for her to answer so quick to even things up it gave us a huge lift," said Wiler. "After the goal we quickly called time to stay focused. I told them that we have just 15 minutes left and if we work hard the score would take care of itself."
Taking their coach's words to heart, the Golden Flashes continued to work as they kept the pressure on with five more shots attempts in the next 14 minutes before Bell finally found the net with the game winner. After Kent State earned a penalty corner, Miller had her shot attempt blocked, but Bell, who's 26 goals rank her top 10 in the nation, was there with the put back. With the Golden Flashes clinging to a 3-2 lead, Miami drew a corner opportunity with 25 seconds remaining, but senior goalie Caroline Suitch (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) made two saves in the closing second to preserve the win and send Kent State onto NCAA play for the seventh time in school history.
Miller was named Tournament MVP while Bell, junior Amy Wimsatt (Louisville, Ky./Mercy Academy) and senior Katie George (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara), were all named to the All-Tournament team.
Winners of eight straight and 10 of the last 11 game, the Golden Flashes will take on No. 9 American at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
